Themes: Inherited Traits and Moral Conflict
While one may argue that Roderick’s angst, as well as his acute hypochondria and seeming madness, appears to be the consequence of centuries of incest, which biologically diminishes a creature’s ability to survive, Poe is nevertheless careful to note the “repeated deeds of munificent . . . charity” offered “of late” by the Ushers (presumably by Roderick himself because the story takes place in the nineteenth century, when men, according to tradition, were in charge of financial affairs). Significant, too, is the pejorative appellation of “evil” that Roderick gives to his family, in itself an indication of his own moral sense. Indeed, it is precisely Roderick’s morality that causes the internal conflict he suffers, between his inherited traits and his moral revulsion over them, and it is his morality that prompts him to leave Madeline in the vault even after he discovers that she is still alive. Granted, knowingly allowing his sister to die, when he could save her, is immoral; yet Roderick’s sense of right and wrong has transcended concerns for what is good for the Ushers and their perpetuation, and becomes a greater, higher concern for the future of the human race. It is no wonder, then, that when the hereditary forces have succeeded in joining the brother and sister together in the house, itself an emblematic agent of those forces, a greater force prevails as it obliterates the Ushers and their house, truncating the incestuous “stem” of the family for all time.
Expert Q&A
Is Usher responsible for his sister's death and the collapse of his home in "The Fall of the House of Usher"?
Roderick Usher's responsibility for his sister's death and the collapse of their home is ambiguous. While his mental instability suggests a possibility, it's unclear if Madeline was truly dead before being entombed. Critics propose that Madeline symbolizes Roderick's inner fears, and their fates, intertwined with the house, suggest a shared supernatural destiny rather than direct culpability. Thus, Roderick appears more a victim of dark forces than an agent of his sister's demise.
In "The Fall of the House of Usher," why does Roderick bury Madeline alive despite their close relationship?
In "The Fall of the House of Usher," it is unclear if Roderick knowingly buries Madeline alive out of malice or if it is a mistake due to his and her illnesses. Madeline's disease gives her an appearance of death, and although Roderick later hears her movements, his senses and illness might have led him to mistakenly believe she was dead.
What does Roderick's illness in "The Fall of the House of Usher" reveal, and why is it called a "family evil"?
Roderick's illness in "The Fall of the House of Usher" reveals a combination of mental and physical disorders, likely linked to the Usher family's history of inbreeding, which suggests hereditary issues. The illness is referred to as a "family evil," indicating a hereditary mental disorder, possibly insanity, believed to be passed down through generations. Roderick's symptoms, alongside Madeleine's catalepsy, underscore the family's frailty and contribute to the story's gothic atmosphere.
Significance of Roderick and Madeline's Twin Relationship in "The Fall of the House of Usher"
In Edgar Allan Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher," the twin relationship between Roderick and Madeline Usher serves multiple purposes. It emphasizes their deep psychological and spiritual connection, suggesting a shared fate and adding to the story's Gothic horror. Their twin bond reflects cultural perceptions of twins as possessing mysterious, possibly malevolent links. This connection enhances the narrative's tension, as Roderick senses Madeline even in death, highlighting their inseparable destinies and symbolizing the decay of the Usher family line.
Inference on the fundamental issues with the Ushers in "The Fall of the House of Usher."
The fundamental issues with the Ushers in "The Fall of the House of Usher" include a long history of mental illness and a decaying family lineage. Roderick and Madeline Usher both suffer from physical and psychological ailments, reflecting the deterioration of their ancestral home and the inescapable doom that haunts the family.
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